Pollutants Pollutants............................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 4 Nitrogen and Phosphorus .................................................................................................... 5 Stressors resulting in nitrogen and phosphorus pollution to surface waters: .................. 5 Pollutant description: ...................................................................................................... 5 Links: .............................................................................................................................. 6 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)/ Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), as indicator of organic pollution ................................................................................................................. 7 Stressors resulting in decreased dissolved oxygen in surface waters: ............................ 7 Pollutant description: ...................................................................................................... 7 Links: .............................................................................................................................. 7 E. coli bacteria, as indicator of pathogens .......................................................................... 8 Stressors resulting in bacterial pollution to surface waters:............................................ 8 Pollutant description: ...................................................................................................... 8 Links: .............................................................................................................................. 8 Metals .................................................................................................................................. 9 Stressors resulting in metals pollution to surface waters: ............................................... 9 Pollutant description – heavy metals: ............................................................................. 9 Pollutant description – iron and manganese in groundwater ........................................ 10 Pollutant description - mercury ..................................................................................... 11 Links: ............................................................................................................................ 12 Organic contaminants (PCB’s and PBDE’s) .................................................................... 13 Stressors resulting in organic contaminant pollution to surface waters: ....................... 13 Pollutant description – PCBs ........................................................................................ 13 Page 1 Rev. Jan., 2017 Links: ............................................................................................................................ 13 Pollutant description - PBDEs ...................................................................................... 13 Links: ............................................................................................................................ 14 Invasive Species as Pollutants .......................................................................................... 15 Stressors resulting in invasive species pollution to surface waters: ............................. 15 Pollutant description –invasive species in Vermont ..................................................... 15 Pollutant description – Eurasian watermilfoil and water chestnut................................ 15 Links: ............................................................................................................................ 16 Pollutant description – fish pathogenic diseases ........................................................... 16 Links: ............................................................................................................................ 16 Chlorides ........................................................................................................................... 17 Stressors resulting in chloride pollution to surface waters: .......................................... 17 Pollutant description - chlorides .................................................................................. 17 Contaminants of Emerging Concern, including Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products............................................................................................................................. 18 Stressors resulting in organic contaminant pollution to surface waters: ....................... 18 Pollutant description ..................................................................................................... 18 Links: ............................................................................................................................ 19 Acid Deposition (a.k.a., Acid Rain) .................................................................................. 20 Stressors resulting in acid rain pollution to surface waters: ......................................... 20 Pollutant description – acid rain ................................................................................... 20 Links: ............................................................................................................................ 21 Sediment ........................................................................................................................... 22 Stressors resulting in sediment pollution to surface waters: ......................................... 22 Pollutant description - sediment.................................................................................... 22 Links: ............................................................................................................................ 22 Page 2 Rev. Jan., 2017 Thermal Modification ....................................................................................................... 23 Stressors resulting in thermal pollution to surface waters: ........................................... 23 Pollutant description – temperature .............................................................................. 23 Cyanobacteria toxins ......................................................................................................... 24 Stressors resulting in cyanobacteria toxins in surface waters: ...................................... 24 Pollutant description ..................................................................................................... 24 Links: ............................................................................................................................ 24 Pesticides........................................................................................................................... 25 Stressors resulting in pesticide releases to surface waters: ........................................... 25 Pollutant description ..................................................................................................... 25 Page 3 Rev. Jan., 2017 Introduction As noted in Chapter 1 of the Statewide Surface Water Management Plan, there are 10 major identified stressors, with associated causes and sources, which result in the delivery of pollutants to surface waters (see below). These pollutants in-turn affect the biological, chemical and physical integrity of Vermont’s surface waters, as well as public uses. This Appendix provides brief descriptions of the major pollutants that impact Vermont’s surface waters, and identifies the stressors that result in their presence. Links for detailed information about each pollutant are also provided. More detailed descriptions of each Stressor, as well as Vermont’s programs to address them, are found in Chapter 2 of this Plan. Page 4 Rev. Jan., 2017 Nitrogen and Phosphorus Stressors resulting in nitrogen and phosphorus pollution to surface waters: Pollutant description: The productivity of an aquatic ecosystem, reflected in plant and fish biomass, is closely tied to phosphorus and nitrogen levels. These nutrients are naturally limited in the environment and high levels cause aquatic plants, especially algae, and cyanobacteria (formerly known as blue-green algae) to grow in much greater densities than the aquatic ecosystem would naturally support. Phosphorus is the limiting nutrient in freshwater systems, while nitrogen is more typically the limiting nutrient in marine systems. The term “limiting” here means that the amount of nutrients available regulates productivity of the food web in waters. A limiting nutrient is akin to eggs in a cookie recipe – too few eggs means only a small batch of cookies can be baked regardless of how much flour or butter may be available. In excessive amounts, algae and cyanobacteria can impair recreational uses, aesthetic enjoyment, the taste of drinking water, and the biological community. In some cases, cyanobacteria may produce toxins harmful to animals and people. Excess plant growth can reduce the amount of space available to fish for habitat, and alter the fish species community balance. Excessive algal growth can cover lake bottom and vegetative habitat, and can result in reduced spawning success. Under certain conditions, when large amounts of aquatic vegetation die and decompose through the winter, extreme conditions